'VACATIONS' IN THE US
Alex Rider was bored. It was his 2nd month in Brookland Comprehensive after his recent mission and he was now sitting in basic French language class. Well, he had already learnt French when he was 8 and now could speak fluent French without any trace of accent. And now he was in a class where Mr. Smith was teaching basic phrases. He had already dozed off 3 times in the class only to be shaken awake by his best friend, Tom and had also received an angry glare from Mr. Smith.
He didn't mind the glare. He had received much worse during his past missions. From being thrown in a tank with a Man 'o' War, getting chased by mad men to getting shot by a Scorpia sniper…
'No! Don't think about your missions, Alex. You are here safer and happier with your normal life', Alex told himself.
Well, speaking of normal life, Alex got reminded about the 'Bank'. He wondered if his employers had at last thought for his betterment by leaving him alone. He did not expect much from Mr. Blunt. He always visualized him as a cold hearted man with no emotions.
Mrs. Jones was bit better than him. With her sparks of motherly instincts, Alex thought, 'Maybe she had convinced Mr. Blunt to leave him alone'.
'Mr. Rider!' Mr. Smith exclaimed, 'Would you please care to come out of your lovely and beautiful dreamland?'
Alex shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Lovely? Beautiful? He let out a sigh and waited for the school bell to ring.
RING!
'The torture ends at last', thought Alex.
'ALEX!'
Alex turned around and smiled seeing Tom running towards him and halted.
'Did you check out the notice board?'
Alex raised an eyebrow and asked, 'Since when did you care about notice boards? You always regarded notice boards as the most boring places in earth'.
'Well, since the time when they have decided to let us have early summer vacations', Tom smiled, 'Due to heat wave the school has decided to have some pity on us poor students. I guess global warming has some advantages'
'Tom! Do you realize what are you blabbering? You regard global warming as a good thing!' Alex let out an exasperated sigh. Some people never change.
'Oh! Never mind. So, what are your plans this summer?' Tom asked while they walked out of the school gates.
As if answering his questions on cue, they noticed a man in black suit screaming MI6 Agent standing by a black car. On seeing Alex he signaled him to come with him to the Royal and General Bank.
He sent the agent a glare and remarked, 'It seems MI6 have their own plans for me this vacation.'
'Well, this would be the second consecutive vacation that they are spoiling. Why don't you ask them to leave you alone for at least this vacation?'
'If this was possible, I would have denied. But they control my whole life. If I refuse they would start blackmailing me.'
Tom nodded understandingly and bid goodbye to him. He watched until he disappeared out of sight and let out a sigh deciding to go with the agent.
'CAN'T YOU GUYS JUST LEAVE ME ALONE? START RECRUITING NEW WILLING AGENTS FOR YOUR CRAZY MISSIONS!', Alex yelled after getting inside the car.
'It is not a mission', the agent blankly replied.
'Then why are they calling me?'
'Patience is a virtue, Mr. Rider. You find out after reaching the bank.'
Deciding that he would not get any productive answer from the agent, he sank into the plush leather seats and stared out of the window waiting to reach the place he hated the most.
It took 15 minutes to reach the destination and Alex found himself sitting in front of the heads of MI6.
'What do you want me to do?' Alex asked at last.
Noting a slight twitch in the corners of his mouth, Alex decided that Mr. Blunt was indeed trying to smile.
'Straight to the point. I appreciate that. The 2 months break you have received has helped you to think in a sensitive way.'
Alex just glared at him.
'Coming to the point, a few days ago there was a meeting between the heads of security of Britain and the US. They came to a conclusion that it would be more helpful if military methods and training are shared amongst the two nations.'
Mrs. Jones continued Blunt's monologue, 'A few days ago the US army sent some of its best soldiers and agents for training in the SAS. Now, it's our turn to send our best agents and army units to train with the Navy Seals. Navy seals have the best training when it comes to amphibious environment.'
Alex started to have a bad feeling about this and asked, 'Why are you telling me all this?'
'Because we are going to send you as one of the members of the team.'
'WHAT? You can't be serious! You must be kidding!'
'We never make jokes, Alex.' Blunt bluntly replied. 'We are serious, and you will be sent with 4 other men tomorrow morning.'
Alex let out a groan and asked, 'So, who are the 4 other men'
Blunt smiled, 'You are going to train with the K-unit'.